Mold-supporting frame structure and construction element therefor



E. WEHR MOLD-SUPPORTING FRAME STRUCTURE AND 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 9, 1963 FIG. 1

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MOLD-SUPPORTING FRAME STRUCTURE AND CONSTRUCTION ELEMENT THEREFOR Filed April 9, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. EAE/LfiEKT NEH/ AGENT United States Patent MOLD-SUPPGRTING FRAME STRUCTURE AND CGNSTRUCTHGN ELEMENT THEREFQR Edelbert Wehr, Reichenf'els, Carinthia, Austria, assignor to Dr. Gerhard Weinberger KG Reiehenfcls, (Jannthia, Austria, a corporation of Austria Filed Apr. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 271,744 (Ilaims priority, application Austria, Apr. 10, 1962, A 2,985/62 8 Claims. (Ci. 25-131) This invention relates to a construction element for holding column-formwork panels for use in concreteconstruction work, this element constituting a frame member provided on its longitudinal sides with abutments for the side edges of panels and further provided with means for connecting the frame member at a selected point of its length to an adjacent frame member extending at right angles to the first-mentioned frame member.

Known mold-supporting frame members of this kind have the serious disadvantage that they can only be used for assembling frames which are rigid only in one plane, in most cases a horizontal plane. For this purpose, the frame members were simply superimposed or had to be subjected to a complicated three-dimensional displacement relative to each other to cause them to interengage. Such a frame, however, is not rigid in three dimensions so that a formwork assembled which such a frame cannot be carried from one place to another, e.g., after it has been lifted with a crane or the like. In this case the formwork might fall apart into its constituent parts. Hence, the known structures can function only under the action of gravity; in other words, they require a successive stacking of frame members and formwork panels without providing for any transmission of force in the vertical direction.

It is an object of the invention to provide means for effecting such a transmission of force in the'vertical direction between the frame members and, if desired, between the frames formed by said frame members and the formwork panels.

According to the invention this is accomplished in that each frame member can be rigidly connected to an adjacent one in such a manner that a set of such members can be assembled to form a frame which is rigid in three dimensions, the connecting means comprising preferably a horizontal flat strip-shaped male extremity at one end of the elongated frame member, the latter forming a transverse shoulder at that end and being provided with openings spaced along the length of the member for interengagement with the flat strip-shaped portion of an adjacent frame member. frame member is advantageously profiled as a closed box section comprising a vertical web portion and a trough section of lower height whose two short flanges are preferably angled inwardly so as to converge toward the web.

According to another feature of the invention, the frame member, e.g. at the web portion thereof, is provided with hooks for receiving vertical keepers or struts serving for the interconnection of spacedly superposed arrays, each composed of four frame members, to brace them against one another so as to form a prismatic frame rigid in three dimensions. These hooks, advantageously, extend past the web into the channel between the flanges for more rigid anchorage.

Further features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the specification and the drawing, in which some illustrative embodimentsof elements according to the invention are shown. FIGS. 1 to 3 are top plan views each showing four frame members assembled to form a closed ring and suitable, e.g. for the erection of a formwork of a square column of larger size (FIG. 1), or of a The body of the smaller one (FIG. 2) or of a rectangular column (FIG. 3); FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, are a top plan view showing two orthogonally interconnected frame members and a side view thereof; FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line VI-Vl of FIG. 4; FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate frame members having modified sectional shapes; FIG. 9 is a side elevation showing the top end of a column formwork assembled from frame members according to the invention; FIGS. 10 and 11 are vertical sectional views taken on lines X-X and XIXI, respectively, of FIG. 9; and FIG. 12 is a transverse sectional view showing the profile of a pedestal frame member.

As is specifically apparent from FIGS. 4 to 6, a frame member 1 comprises a vertical web portion 2, to which a trough or channel section 3 is secured by welding, preferably spot welding. At that end which is on the right of the frame member shown horizontally in FIG. 4, the web portion is provided with a double-angled portion 4 to embrace the channel section 3. The distance between the inside of the web portion and the outside of the. section 3, i.e. the clear width within the double-angled portion 4, corresponds to the thickness a of a formwork panel 5 (FIGS. 6, 11), the edges of which are embraced in the usual manner by channel-section edge members. As is apparent from FIG. 4, the trough section 3 has adjacent to the double-angled portion 4 a wedge-shaped recess so that any concrete which may lodge in the corners of the double-angled portion can easily be removed.

The trough section 3 has two flanges 6 which are inwardly inclined and are engaged by respective edges of the two vertically aligned mold panels 5, shown in FIG. 11, received in recesses 6, 6". Thus, the parts 2, 3 form a box section which is rigid in flexure. Next to that end of the frame member 1 which is opposite the double-angled portion 4, the section 3-has a vertical strap 7 secured to it, for instance, by Welding. This strap has approximately the same height as the web portion 2 and defines with it a pair of recesses, above and below the upper and lower flanges 6, for receiving the panels 5. Hence, the upper and lower edges of the section 3 in conjunction with the inside of the ends of the strap 7 and the twice-bent terminal portion 4 form abutments for the lower and upper edges of the forrnwork panel, which by these abutments is reliably held in the frame member.

Besides, each frame member 1 has on its outside adjacent to the strap 7 a hook 8 which, as shown in FIG. 6, extends into the channel defined by flanges 6 and Whose function will be explained in more detailhereinafter.

The frame member 1 extending horizontally in FIG. 4 forms a transverse shoulder 22 at its end opposite the bent-over terminal portion 4; a flat strip-shaped male extremity 9 extends beyond this shoulder and is provided with a slot 10, into which a Wedge 11 can be driven. This wedge 11 may advantageously be permanently connected to the frame member 1 by means of a light chain, which is not shown.

Openings 12 are formed in alignment through the section 3 andthe web portion 1 throughout the length of the frame member 1; this length corresponds to the width of a formwork panel 5. In the illustrative embodiment shown, these openings 12 are slots having a rectangular cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the flat extremity 9 so that this extremity of a frame member 1 can be inserted into any of the slots 12 of another frame member 1 at any desired distance from the end of the latter, this distance being determined by the crosssection of the column for which the formwork is to be constructed. When the formwork panel 5 has been applied and the wedge 11 has been driven into the slot 10, the two frame members are thus located at right angles to each other as is apparent'in FIGS. 4 and 5.

- ly shown for some cases in FIGS. 1 to 3.

Two further frame members 1 are attached and located in like manner to the two frame members 1 thus connected so that groups of four frame members 1 may be assembled to form a closed ring depending on the required cross-section of the column, as is diagrammatical- The inside of the formwork panel lies in the same plane as the outside surface of the trough section 3 so that a single, con tinuous formwork plane is provided; the formwork panels are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the height of the trough section'3.

The free openings 12 in the clear space between the frame members of such a ring are closed by sheet-metal 7 plates or, as is apparent from FIGSf4 and 5, by plugs 13 of a resiliently deformable material such as rubber or plastic. In the latter case, the vertical edges l i of the openings 12 are slightly inturned to enable a snapping engagement of the plug and a flush mounting of the top face of the plug.

To assemble the formwork for a column, a ring of four frame members 15 of modified shape, shown in FIG. 12, is first assembled'and placed on the ground. As is apparent from FIG. 12, a pedestal frame member 15 differs from the usual frame member 1 onlyby the different profile of its channel section 3' thereof whose flange l extends downwardly as far as to the level of the lower edge'of the web portion 2'. Depending on the desired height, sets of four panels 5 and further rings consisting of four frame members 1 each are placed in alternation on the ring made from four such pedestal frame members 15. The driving ofthe'wedges 11 into the slots results also in a firm gripping of the formwork panels 5 in a horizontal direction by forcing that edge of the panel which is aligned with shoulder 22, and therefore opposite the edge embraced by the terminal portion 4 firmly against the adjacent inside surface of the adjoining panel extending at right angles to the panel under consideration.

The uppermost ring of the column formwork thus assembled may also' be formed byv four frame members 1, as is apparent from FIGS. 9 andlO. To ensure the coherence of the formwork also in a vertical direction, the .various rings consisting of the frame members 1 or 15 are interconnected by vertical keepers or struts 17,

which are provided at both ends with slots 18, 19 fitting over the hooks 8 on the frame members 1 or 15.

As is specifically apparent from FIGS. 10 and 11, the arrangement is such thatthe'lower edge of the lower slot 18 of a keeper is exactly in engagement with the hook 8 when the, upper slot 19 is fitted over the hook 8 of the next-higher frame member 1 until the keeper is in snug engagement with the web portion 2. This causes an automatic locking of the keepers against falling from the hook. As is apparent from FIG. 10, the upper slot 19 of the uppermost keeper 17 is locked by a cotter member, such as a hook 20 provided at one end of a chain 21, the other end of which is provided with another hook for locking .the diagonally opposite keeper 17 in position. Alternatively, said other end of the chain may be engaged with the corresponding hook 8. The assembled formwork for-a column can then be displaced with the aid of the chain 21 by means of a crane or a similar lifting gear andmay be lowered from above onto the reinforcement is assembled from four flat strips so that there is no need for a strap 7, the panel-receiving recesses 6, 6" being 15. now defined by parallel vertical formations 2b, jecting beyond flange portions 612.

The described means for connecting the frame members at, right angles to each other'may be replaced by equivalent means, such as a toggle joint, simple cotter rembers or the like. It is also possible, e.g'., to provide the openings 12 with inturned horizontal edges, if desired, similar to the inturned vertical edges 14 facing the interior of the section for receiving the plugs 13. In some cases it may further be desirable to lengthening the frame members 1 sufiiciently to accommodate a formwork panel in the direction of its length rather than its width, for instance, for constructing columns having particularly large cross-sections. The length of a frame member could be several times, e.g. twice or three times, the length of the shorter or longerside edge of a for'mworkpanel so that two ormore panels can be arranged one beside the other to engage one frame member.

What is claimed is:

1. A construction element for a mold-supporting frame structure, comprising an elongatedbody of channeled profile with upper and lower generally horizontal flanges engageable-by respective edges of a pair of vertically aligned mold panels, a substantially vertical web spanning said fianges and extending therebeyond for contact. with adjoining portions of said panels, said body being formed at one end with a transverse shoulder and with a male extremity projecting beyond said shoulder, said web being formed between said flanges with a series of openings traversed between said panels by the male. extremity of an adjoining construction element and locking eans' at said extremity for holding another adjoining construction element engaged by it in contact with said shoulder.

2. A construction element as defined in claim 1, further comprising a hook projecting laterally from said web at a location between said flanges for engagement by a connector from another array, said hook extending into the channel between said flanges.

3. A construction element as defined in claim 2 where in said hook is disposed close to said shoulder at a dis tance from said series of openings.

7b pro- 4. A construction element as defined in claim 1 wherein said web has a termination bent back around said flanges at the end opposite said shoulder,- thereby closing the channel between said flanges.

5. A construction element as defined in claim 1, further comprising a vertical formation on said body extend ing parallelto said 'web above and below said upper and lower flanges for defining a pair of recesses for said panels.

6. A construction element as defined in claim 1 wherein said fiangesconverge toward each other in the direction of said web.

' 7. An annular array adapted to form part of a moldsupportingframe structure, said array being composed of four identical construction elements each comprising an elongated body of channeled profile with upper and lower generally horizontal flanges engageable by respec-.

tive edges of a pair of vertically aligned mold panels, a substantially vertical. web spanning said flanges and extendingtherebeyond for contact with adjoining portions of said panels, said body being formed at one end with a transverse shoulder .and with a male extremity projecting beyond saidshoulder, said web being formed between said flanges with an opening traversed between said panels by the male .extremity of an adjoining construction element, and locking means atsaid extremity for holding another adjoining construction element engaged by it in contact with said shoulder. 7

8. A mold-supporting frame structure. comprising a plurality of superposed identical arrays each composed of four identical construction elements; each of said elementscomprising an elongated body of channeled profile with upper and lower generally horizontal fianges engageable by respective edges of a pair of vertically aligned mold panels, a substantially vertical Web spanning said flanges and extending therebeyond for contact with adjoining portions of said panels, said body being formed at one end with a transverse shoulder and with a male extremity projecting beyond said shoulder, said Web being formed between said flanges with a series of openings traversed between said panels by the male extremity of an adjoining construction element, and locking means at said extremity for holding another adjoining construction element engaged by it in contact with said shoulder; and vertical strut means removably secured to said elements for bracing said arrays against each other.

Reterences Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/15 Meyer 25-131 3/22 Leffier 25131 4/22 Venable 25131 5/52 Otte et a1. 25--131 9/ 5 6 Sullivan 25--131 12/58 Hillberg 25-131 FOREIGN PATENTS 8/55 Austria.

8/50 Belgium.

MICHAEL V. BRINDISI, Primary Examiner. 

1. A CONSTRUCTION ELEMENT FOR A MOLD-SUPPORTING FRAME STRUCTURE, COMPRISING AN ELONGATED BODY OF CHANNELED PROFILE WITH UPPER AND LOWER GENERALLY HORIZONTAL FLANGES ENGAGEABLE BY RESPECTIVE EDGES OF A PAIR OF VERTICALLY ALIGNED MOLD PANELS, A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL WEB SPANNING SAID FLANGES AND EXTENDING THEREBEYOND FOR CONTACT WITH ADJOINING PORTIONS OF SAID PANELS, SAID BODY BEING FORMED AT ONE END WITH A TRANSVERSE SHOULDER AND WITH A MALE EXTREMITY PROJECTING BEYOND SAID SHOULDER, SAID WEB BEING FORMED BETWEEN SAID FLANGES WITH A SERIES OF OPENINGS TRAVERSED BETWEEN SAID PANELS BY THE MALE EXTREMITY OF AN ADJOINING CONSTRUCTION ELEMENT AND LOCKING MEANS AT SAID EXTREMITY FOR HOLDING ANOTHER ADJOINING CONSTRUCTION ELEMENT ENGAGED BY IT IN CONTACT WITH SAID SHOULDER. 